Inko by Knitail/ Derako

Inko

Knitting
February 2026
both are used in this pattern
yarn held together
DK
+ Lace
= ?
14 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in Garter Stitch
US 8 - 5.0 mm
US 10 - 6.0 mm
1 (2, 3, 4,5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
English Finnish

“Inko” means “parakeet” in Japanese. This cabled sweater with a simple construction was inspired by the idea of a parakeet puffing up its feathers to stay warm — soft, cosy and full of gentle volume.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4,5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

Recommended ease: 15.75–17.75” / 40–45 cm of positive ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest Circumference: 47.75 (50.5, 56.25, 59, 64.75) (68.75, 71.5, 77, 80” / 121.5 (128.5, 143, 150, 164.5) (174.5, 181.5, 195.5, 203) cm.

Neck Circumference: 19.75 (19.75, 19.75, 19.75, 21) (23.5, 23.5, 25, 25)“ / 50 (50, 50, 50, 53.5) (60, 60, 63.5, 63.5) cm.

Total Body Length (from back neck, adjustable): 22.75 (22.75, 22.75, 24.5, 24.5) (26.25, 28.25, 28.25, 28.25)“ / 58 (58, 58, 62.5, 62.5) (66.5, 72, 72, 72) cm.

Length from Underarm to Bottom Edge (adjustable): 11.75 (11.75, 11.75, 11.75, 11.75, 11.75) (13.25, 13.25, 13.25, 13.25)“ / 30 (30, 30, 30, 30) (33.5, 33.5, 33.5, 33.5) cm.

Sleeve Circumference: 14 (14, 14, 16.75, 16.75) (16.75, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5)“ / 35.5 (35.5, 35.5, 42.5, 42.5) (42.5, 49.5, 49.5, 49.5) cm.

Sleeve Length (adjustable): 11” / 28 cm.

MATERIALS
Yarn:
Yarn 1: 12 (12, 13, 15, 16) (18, 20, 21, 22) balls of Cheviot Wool by Daruma (100% Cheviot wool, 100 yds / 92 m – 50 g), in the colourway 1 (White).

Or approx. 1120 (1175, 1275, 1450, 1560) (1735, 1955, 2085, 2145) yds / 1025 (1075, 1165, 1325, 1425) (1585, 1785, 1905, 1960) m of worsted-weight yarn.

Yarn 2: 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) balls of Silk Mohair by Daruma (60% super kid mohair, 40% Silk; 328 yds / 300 m – 25 g), in the colourway 1 (Kinari).

Or approx. 1215 (1275, 1385, 1575, 1690) (1880, 2125, 2260, 2325) yds / 1110 (1165, 1265, 1440, 1545) (1720, 1940, 2065, 2125) m of silk-mohair lace-weight yarn.

Yarns 1 and 2 are held together throughout the pattern. 

Alternative yarn suggestions are for example Gilliat by De Rerum Natura, Le Gros Lambswool by Biches & Bûches and Brusca by Retrosaria Rosa Pomar (for Yarn 1) and Bérénice by De Rerum Natura, Le Petit Silk & Mohair by Biches & Bûches or Silk Mohair by Isager (for Yarn 2).

Needles: US 10 / 6 mm circular needles 16” / 40 cm (for the neck and sleeves, if not using Magic Loop Method) and 40” / 100 cm (for the body), US 8 / 5 mm circular needles 16” / 40 cm (for the neck and sleeves, if not using Magic Loop Method) and 40” / 100 cm (for the body).

Notions: Stitch markers (20), waste yarn or stitch holders, cable needle.

GAUGE 
14 sts x 26 rounds and rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 10 / 6 mm needles in Garter St, after blocking. 
22 sts x 24 rounds and rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 8 / 5 mm needles in 1 x 1 Half Twisted Rib, after blocking.

CONSTRUCTION
This oversized, dropped-shoulder sweater features a combination of cable patterns, Half Twisted Rib and Garter Stitch. It is worked from the top down: the back body is knitted first, and then stitches are picked up at the shoulders to knit the front. The body is then joined and worked in the round, down to a Half Twisted Rib hem. Sleeves are picked up and knitted downward to a Half Twisted Rib cuff. The neckline is finished by picking up stitches and working the same rib, which is then folded over to create a double-layered collar. As a subtle accent, the cable patterns differ slightly between the body and the sleeves.